He was the younger brother of New York vaudeville king, Tony Pastor, and the son-in-law of high-wire daredevil, Blondin. Frank Pastor (1837-1885) started his career as a child circus performer in mid 19th century America, throwing double somersaults on the back of a horse before venturing all over the world to perform his stunts. His career paralleled the heyday and inevitable decline of the circus as the public's favourite diversion. Historyeye examines his life story in detail.